Urban Ecology Links :: Website Typologies :: Private + Nonprofit Organizations

 

Please note: The site's name, project/organization location, and my comments about each website are located in the left-hand column. Clicking on each corresponding screenshot in the right-hand column will take you to the actual website in a new browser window so you can investigate the site, project or organization yourself.

 

ECOCITY CLEVELAND (Cleveland, OH) This is hands down one of the best websites that I visited throughout my research. It's beautiful, organized, and presents a thorough glimpse of what it means for a city and region to design, plan, grow and live sustainably with ecological processes in mind. I was additionally impressed by the organization's transparency with respect to its fundraising and nonprofit activities in the "About Us" section. Not to be missed!
SAN FRANCISCO PLANNING AND URBAN RESEARCH ORGANIZATION (San Francisco, CA) SPUR is one of the oldest urban research think-tanks in the United States, however their website doesn't come across with as much clout as the organization itself. Their navigation bar graphics stand out and make clear the range of information available on the website, however their "Environmental Sustainability" section needs a little beefing up. Reent projects are cross-listed under a number of topics and they have a great "Links" page.
REGIONAL PLAN ASSOCIATION (New York - New Jersey - Connecticut) This tri-state organization focuses on research, planning and advocacy related to transportation and preservation of open space. While there is less of a focus on Urban Ecology per se, the "Healthy Communities Initiative" addresses a number of urban planning issues tied to public health.
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES (National Organization) Project for Public Spaces is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and sustaining public places that foster positive community interactions. They strike a good balance in emphasizing not only the environmental but also the social and economic benefits of urban parks, and the website includes an extensive listing of case studies if you start with their "Projects" tab within the navigation bar. This is a national organization and therefore a great resource regardless of where you are.
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND (National Organization) Another national nonprofit organization, the TPL is technically focused on land conservation however they have identified and developed a series of initiatives focusing on the preservation and maintenance of different types of public lands -- watersheds, agricultural property, brownfields, urban parks, etc. Navigation is a bit complicated and you have to jump around a lot, but the website contains a tremendous amount of information about specific projects, sites, ongoing research, funding and published resources.		(Return to Top) (Return to Website Typologies Outline)